Chapter - 10 EARTHQUAKE

Zero Tolerance to avoidable deaths due to earthquakes (Vision of Earthquake Management)

An earthquake is a catastrophic phenomenon which hits without any prior warning and results
into oscillation of surface. An earthquake is a series of vibrations on the earth‘s surface caused
by the generation of elastic (seismic) waves due to sudden rupture within the earth during release
of accumulated strain energy. Earthquakes are one of the most destructive of natural hazards.
Strahler and Strahler defines earthquake as “the earthquake is a form of energy of wave
motion transmitted through the surface layer of the Earth”. The earthquake has been defined
by Hussain as “An earthquake is a motion of ground surface ranging from faint tremor to a wild
motion capable of shaking buildings apart”. According to NCERT, “An earthquake in simple
words is shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy”.

Where the earthquake originate (always inside the earth) is called focus or the point where the
energy is released is called the focus of an earthquake, alternatively, it is called the hypocentre.
Strahler states, “Waves move outward in widening circles from a point of sudden energy release,
called the Focus”.

The energy waves travelling in different directions reach the surface. The point on the surface,
nearest to the focus, is called epicentre. It is the first one to experience the waves. It is a point
directly above the focus (fig. 10.1).

Figure 10.1 Location of Focus and Epicentre Fig. 10.2 Epicenter of Bhuj Earthquake in January 26, 2001
 On the basis of depth of the Focus, the earthquake has been classified as:

1. Shallow Earthquake: Occurs when Focus is recorded at the depth of 70 km from the
surface. It produces largest magnitude of earthquake.
2. Intermediate Earthquake: Occurs with the Focus at the depth between 70 to 300
km below the surface.
3. Deep Earthquake: Occurs when Focus if recorded beyond 300 to 700 km.

Seismic energy from intermediate and deep earthquakes largely dissipates as waves
reaches the surface. Thus most of the time they have not been recorded or recorded with
very small magnitude.

During an earthquake, the waves generate from focus is called Seismic Waves. The seismic
waves recorded on ‘Seismograph’ or ‘Seismometer’, an instrument of recording oscillation in
earth surface. Seismic waves gradually lose energy as they travel outward in all direction

10.1 Measuring Earthquakes

The earthquake events are scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock. The
magnitude scale is known as the Richter scale. The magnitude relates to the energy released
during the quake. The magnitude is expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10. The intensity scale is
named after Mercalli, an Italian seismologist. The intensity scale takes into account the visible
damage caused by the event. The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.

The magnitude of earthquake is measured on Richter Scale which was invented by seismologist
Charles F. Richter in 1935 and later modified in 1956 by Richter and Beno Gutenberg. It records
the energy released at the earthquake centre and measure the severity of an earthquake. There is
no fixed maximum and minimum magnitude but the highest magnitude by Richter Scale has
been recorded as 8.9. Human can feel smallest magnitude of 2.0 but Richter Scale can detect
shakes as low as -3.0.

The Richter Scale is open ended logarithmic and is based on the amplitude of the largest
earthquake waves measured for a particular earthquake. As each unit of increases in Richter
Scale, the amplitude of the earthquake wave increases by a factor of 10.
Table – 10.1 Scale of Earthquake Intensity

Scale of Effects
Intensity
1.0 Not felt by everyone, except by very few people under special conditions.
Detected on instruments.
2.0 Felt by people on upper floors of buildings. Suspended objects may swing.
3.0 Felt noticeable indoors. Stationary automobiles may shake and shift slightly.
4.0 Felt by majority of people indoors, by a few outdoors. At night, some may awake.
Kitchen items, windows and doors rattle.
5.0 Felt by almost everyone. Most of people awake. Some kitchen items fall and
broken and window’s glasses are broken. Unstable objects are overturned.
6.0 Felt by everyone. Many people become frightened and rush to outside home or
buildings. Some heavy furniture move. Some plaster breaks and fall.
7.0 Most people are alarmed and run outside. Damage is negligible (may develop
cracks in buildings) in constructed buildings.
8.0 Damage is slight in specially designed structures, considerable in ordinary
buildings, weak building may collapse. Heavy furniture is overturned.
9.0 Damage is considerable in specially designed structures. Buildings shift from
their foundations and partly collapse. Subsurface pipelines are broken.
10.0 Some well-built wooden structures are destroyed. Most masonry structures are
destroyed. The ground is badly cracked. Considerable landslides occur on steep
slopes.
11.0 Few, if any, masonry structures remain standing. Rails are bent. Broad fissures
develop on the ground.
12.0 Virtually total destruction. Waves are seen in the ground surface. Objects are
thrown in the air.
Source: Modified by Author from Husain, 2011

10.2 Causes of Earthquake

The main causes of earthquake can be listed as:

1) Volcanic Eruption.
2) Rupture and sudden movement of surface (folding and faulting).
3) Plate Tectonics.
4) Anthropogenic Causes
1) Volcanic Earthquakes are caused explosion of rocks due to pressure of upwelling gases and
magma. Such earthquakes are shallow in the origin. Thus their intensity has been recorded
high in most of the time. The violent eruption of Krakatoa volcano is an example of volcano
followed by an earthquake. Sound of explosion was heard in Australia and Philippines.
2) Observable displacement of surface along a fracture is known as Fault. Along the fault line
displacement generate earthquake waves. The San Andreas fault of California is a typical
example of earthquake due to faulting.
3) Earth’s crust consists of several major and minor plates which are in dynamic state. The
movement of plates form different boundaries in respect of each other. Earthquakes occurs
along the boundaries of plates which are shallow and destructive in nature .
4) Human activities with economic interests directly and indirectly generate earthquakes.
Extraction of minerals, deep mining, exploding rocks for development of infrastructure, dams
and reservoirs are some activities which generate different magnitude’s earthquakes.

10.3 Typical effects of earthquake are

A) Physical Damage – Damage occurs to human settlements, buildings, structures and

infrastructure, especially bridges, elevated roads, railways, water towers, water treatment
facilities, utility lines, pipelines, electrical generating facilities and transformer stations.
Aftershocks can do much damage to already weakened structures. Significant secondary
effects include fires, bursting of dam, and landslides, which may block waterways and
also cause flooding. There may be a breakdown of communications facilities.

Destruction of property may have a serious impact on need of shelters, economic

production and living standards of local populations. Depending on the vulnerability of
the affected community, large numbers of people may be homeless in the aftermath of an
earthquake.

B) Casualties – The casualty rate is often high, especially when earthquakes occur in areas:
a) High population density, particularly in areas of narrow streets between buildings and
buildings themselves are not earthquake resistant, and the ground is sloping and unstable,
b) Where adobe or dry-stone construction is common with heavy upper floors and roofs.
C) Public health – multiple fracture injuries and number of severely and moderately injured
is the most widespread problem, breakdown in sanitary conditions pose a threat and fear
of epidemic due to large deaths. Other health threats may occur if: a) There is secondary
flooding b) Water supplies are disrupted and contaminated water is used; and c) People
are concentrated into high-density relief camps.
D) Water supply – severe problems due to failure of the water supply and distribution
network and storage reservoirs. Severe problems are likely because: a) Piped (municipal)
water systems may be disrupted due to breakage and become contaminated, especially if
sewage systems have also been damaged. b) Open wells may be filled and blocked by
debris. c) Earthquakes can change levels in the water table with the possible effect of
drying up wells and surface springs.
E) Transport network – severely affected due to failure of roads and bridges, turns in
railway track alignment, failure of runway.
10.4 EARTHQUAKE: A DISATER

Globally, earthquakes result in a loss of about 50,000 lives every year. Earthquakes over 5.5
magnitude on the Richter scale are progressively damaging to property and human life.
However, there are many other factors that influences the damage pattern (Disaster Management
in India 2011).

According to latest seismic zoning map brought out by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), over
65 percent of the country is prone to earthquake of intensity Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
(MSK) VII or more.

10.4.1 The Earthquake Risk (vulnerability) in India

India's increasing population and extensive unscientific constructions mushrooming all over,
including multistoried luxury apartments, huge factory buildings, gigantic malls, supermarkets as
well as warehouses and masonry buildings keep - India at high risk. During the last 15 years, the
country has experienced 10 major earthquakes that have resulted in over 20,000 deaths.
As per the current seismic zone map of the country, over 59 per cent of India’s land area is under
threat of moderate to severe seismic hazard that means it is prone to shaking of MSK Intensity
VII and above (BMTPC, 2006).
In fact, the entire Himalayan belt is considered prone to great earthquakes of magnitude
exceeding 8.0, and in a relatively short span of about 50 years, four such earthquakes have
occurred: 1897 Shillong (M 8.7); 1905 Kangra (M 8.0); 1934 Bihar-Nepal (M 8.3); and 1950
Assam-Tibet (M 8.6). Scientific publications have warned of the likelihood of the occurrence of
very severe earthquakes in the Himalayan region, which could adversely affect the lives of
several million people in India.

At one time regions of the country away from the Himalayas and other inter-plate boundaries
were considered to be relatively safe from damaging earthquakes. However, in the recent past,
even these areas have experienced devastating earthquakes, albeit of lower magnitude than the
Himalayan earthquakes.

A majority of the buildings constructed in India, especially in suburban and rural areas, are non-
engineered and built without adhering to earthquake-resistant construction principles. Most
contractors and masons engaged in the construction of these buildings are also not familiar with
the earthquake-resistant features specified in the building codes. Indigenous earthquake-resistant
houses like the bhongas in the Kutch Region of Gujarat, dhajji diwari buildings in Jammu &
Kashmir, brick-nogged wood frame constructions in Himachal Pradesh and ekra constructions
made of bamboo in Assam are increasingly being replaced with modern Reinforced Cement
Concrete (RCC) buildings, often without incorporating earthquake resistant features and without
compliance to building codes and bye-laws.

It is thus necessary to empower communities to ensure the seismic safety of the built
environment by encouraging the use of simple, easy and affordable technical solutions and
institutional arrangements. These make use of indigenous technical knowledge and locally
available materials in the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in suburban and rural
areas.

The Bhuj earthquake of 2001 caused widespread damage and destruction not only to residential
buildings but also to government buildings, public infrastructure and to buildings housing
industrial enterprises in more than 7,900 villages in 21 districts of Gujarat. The economic impact
of an earthquake in a metropolitan city like Delhi or Mumbai etc., will have primary, secondary
and tertiary effects.

The North-Eastern part of the country continues to experience moderate to large earthquakes at
frequent intervals including the two great earthquakes mentioned above. Since 1950, the region
has experienced several moderate earthquakes. On an average, the region experiences an
earthquake with a magnitude greater than 6.0 every year. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are
also situated on an inter-plate boundary and frequently experience damaging earthquakes.

The increase in earthquake risk is due to a spurt in developmental activities driven by

urbanization, economic development and the globalization of India’s economy. The increase in
use of high-technology equipment and tools in manufacturing and service industries has also
made them susceptible to disruption due to relatively moderate ground shaking.

As a result, loss of human life is not the only determinant of earthquake risk any more. Severe
economic losses leading to the collapse of the local or regional economy after an earthquake may
have long-term adverse consequences for the entire country. This effect would be further
magnified if an earthquake affects a mega-city, such as Delhi or Mumbai.

10.5 Seismic Zones of India

The entire Indian landmass, susceptible to different levels of earthquake hazard, has broadly
been classified into four distinct seismic Zones, referred to as Zones II to IV as per the Seismic
Zoning Map of India contained in IS 1893:2002 (Part-1).

As per the Foreword to the Seismic Code IS 1893:2002, the general basis of the zones is as
follows:

Zone V: Covers the areas liable to seismic intensity IX and above on MSK (1964) Intensity
Scale. This is the most severe seismic zone and is referred here as Very High Damage Risk
Zone.

Zone IV: Gives the area liable to MSK VIII. This zone is second in severity to zone V. This is
referred here as High Damage Risk Zone.
Zone III: The associated intensity is MSK VII. This is termed here as Moderate Damage Risk
Zone.

Zone II: The probable intensity is MSK VI or less. This zone is referred to as Low Damage
Risk Zone.

Figure 10.3: Earthquake Vulnerability Map of India

Source: National Disaster Management Plan 2016

India has been divided into four seismic zones according to the maximum intensity of earthquake
expected (Figure 1). Of these, zone V is the most active which comprises of whole of Northeast
India, the northern portion of Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Gujarat and
Andaman & Nicobar Islands. India has highly populous cities and the constructions in these
cities are not earthquake resistant. Regulatory mechanisms are weak, thus any earthquake
striking in one of these cities would turn into a major disaster. Six major earthquakes have struck
different parts of India over a span of the last 15 years.

Table 10.2: Geographic Areas in Seismic Zones

Seismic Zones % of Geographical Area

II 41.40
III 30.40
IV 17.30 58.6%
V 10.90
Source: National Disaster Management Guidelines, Management of Earthquake, NDMA-2007

10.6 NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES: MANAGEMENT OF

EARTHQUAKES – 2007

 The India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) database of resource inventories in the
districts will be strengthened by the states through regular updating. States will also
integrate this database with their DM plans.
 The state governments/SDMAs will set up State Earthquake Management Committees
(SEMCs) and designate a nodal officer responsible for seismic safety. The SEMCs will
consist of specialists with field experience in earthquake management, as well as
representatives of the various stakeholders. These committees will assist the SDMAs in
preparing their DM plans and in developing appropriate implementation and monitoring
mechanisms.
 State governments will prepare DM plans, which will cover all aspects of the entire DM
cycle, be reviewed and updated at periodic intervals and implemented through
appropriate, well coordinated and time bound actions as laid down in the Guidelines.
 Nodal agencies at the central and state levels will encourage all stakeholders to set up
appropriate institutional mechanisms to ensure that the national earthquake safety agenda
is not only implemented but also closely monitored vis-à-vis specific targets.
 Such nodal agencies will identify appropriate agencies and institutions to develop
standardized training modules, to prepare public awareness resource materials and to
monitor the implementation of the DM plans based on these Guidelines.

10.6.1 The Six Pillars of Earthquake Management

The Guidelines rest on the following six pillars of seismic safety for improving the effectiveness
of earthquake management in India (see Figure 10.3).
 Figure 10.4: SIX PILLARS OF EARTHQUAKE MANAGEMENT

Source: National Disaster Management Guideline, Management of Earthquake, 2007

1. Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction of New Structures

2. Seismic Strengthening and Retrofitting of Lifeline and Priority Structures
3. Regulation and Enforcement
4. Awareness and Preparedness
5. Capacity Development (Including Education, Training, R&D and Documentation)
6. Emergency Response

1. Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction of New Structures

 State governments will facilitate the implementation and enforcement of relevant
standards for seismically safe design and construction of buildings, bridges,
 flyovers, ports and harbours, and commercially important structures falling within
their administrative control.
 Faculty members in engineering colleges, architecture colleges, Industrial
Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics will also be provided adequate
exposure to earthquake-resistant design and construction techniques, so that
students are made aware of earthquake-resistant design and construction. These
all will be shared with SDMA, Directorate of Technical Education, State Council
of Vocational Training, PWD.
 The designs of all new buildings and structures will be scrutinized by the
competent authorities through a general compliance review and mandatory
technical audit process by qualified professionals or by an expert group set up by
the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), GoI.
2. Seismic Strengthening and Retrofitting of Lifeline and Priority Structures
 State governments will draw up phased programmes for seismic strengthening
and retrofitting of selected existing structures duly prioritized and implement
them through ULBs and PRIs.
 State governments/SDMAs and professional bodies will organize knowledge
sharing workshops to disseminate the methodology and important experiences of
seismic strengthening and retrofitting of lifeline structures to the professional
community.
 State governments with Department of Irrigation and PWD, will carry out
structural safety audit of all dams, bridges and flyovers, and undertake phased
retrofitting of all weak structures.
 Insurance companies will be encouraged to introduce innovative insurance
schemes in moderate and high earthquake risk zones in consultation with the
ULBs and respective Disaster Management Authorities (DMAs).
 State governments will mainstream DM efforts in their development plans. In the
annual plans, specific allocations will be made for carrying out disaster
preparedness efforts, as well as disaster mitigation measures including retrofitting
of selected lifeline structures.
 The central ministries and departments and ULBs in the states may initiate
discussions with corporate sector undertakings to support the retrofitting measures
of selected lifeline structures as a part of PPP efforts and Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR).

3. Regulation and Enforcement

 State governments/SDMAs will, in consultation with their SEMCs and Hazard
Safety Cells (HSCs), establish the necessary techno-legal and techno-financial
mechanisms to ensure that all stakeholders like builders, architects, engineers and
government departments, responsible for regulation and enforcement adopt
 earthquake-safe construction practices and provide for seismic safety in all design
and construction activities in such a way that acceptable safety benchmarks are
satisfied.
 State governments with Department of Urban Development, Department of
Panchayati Raj, State Emergency Monitoring Centres (SEMC) will review, revise
and update the town and country planning Acts, land use and zoning regulations.
This process will be repeated at least once every five years.
 All professionals dealing with safety aspects of buildings and structures will be
certified through a licensing process.
 All artisans involved in both public and private construction projects will be
certified for their skills in ensuring seismic safety. State governments will follow
a five year licensing cycle, wherein the certification is renewed every five years.
 State governments will also develop a scheme for setting up training centres for
artisans in earthquake-prone areas.
4. Awareness and Preparedness
 State governments/SDMA, DDMA, Department of Public Relation in
collaboration with professional bodies of engineers, architects and urban planners,
initiate programmes to sensitize their members on the importance of undertaking
earthquake-resistant design and construction practices.
 State governments/SDMAs will, in collaboration with their SEMCs, HSCs and
Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), organize awareness programmes for
specific target groups of stakeholders on various aspects of earthquake
management.
 Department of Health and Family Welfare will develop their own DM plans, with
enhancing their surge capacity in the event of disaster. Training exercises and
mock drills will be carried out regularly by doctors as well as paramedical staff.
The medical preparedness plans will also include identification of trained trauma
and psycho-social care teams, with nursing and paramedical staff.
 In high-risk earthquake – prone areas, mobile hospitals and Quick Reaction
Medical Teams (QRMTs) will be developed as a part of the health-care delivery
system of the states, to manage patients with minor injuries at the incident site.
5. Capacity Development (Including Education, Training, R&D and Documentation)
 State governments with assistance of Department of Education/Higher Education,
Directorate of Technical Education must endeavour to strengthen earthquake
education by incorporating the best available technical and non-technical inputs
on seismic safety in educational curricula.
 State governments will encourage knowledge institutions to undertake research,
teaching and training, which will further contribute to improving earthquake
education in India.
 State governments will introduce a five year quality improvement programme for
teachers and professionals engaged in teaching the subjects related to earthquakes.
 State governments/SDMAs will set up websites and portals to disseminate all
earthquake safety related information to stakeholders.
6. Emergency Response
 The NDRF battalions will assist the state government/district authorities in
training communities. They will be further assisted by the Civil Defence, Home
Guards, fire services and NGOs.
 State governments will also provide suitable indemnity to community level team
members for their actions in the course of emergency response following an
earthquake.
 Youth organizations such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National
Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) will provide
support services to the response teams at the local level under the overall
guidance and supervision of the local administration.
 The fire services in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will develop adequate
capacity to respond to various disasters, in addition to managing fires.
 The police play a very important role after an earthquake in maintaining law and
order, assisting in search and rescue, and in the transportation and certification of
casualties.
 The Home Guards serve as an auxiliary arm of the police force and support the
district administration in various tasks.
 The Civil Defence Members will be trained in tasks like search and rescue and
evacuation, protection of assets in evacuated areas, and management of relief
camps and aid distribution centres.
 Specialized heavy earthmoving equipment and search and rescue equipment are
required immediately following an earthquake to clear debris and to carry out
//search and rescue of trapped people from collapsed structures.
 The setting up of relief camps for the people whose houses have been damaged by
an earthquake and the provision of basic amenities in such camps involve
complex logistics of mobilizing relief supplies, tents, water supply and sanitation
systems, transport and communication systems, and medical supplies.
 After an earthquake, information centres will be set up to provide medical
response information to the public, relatives of victims and media.
 The designated hospitals will also identify the surgical teams that can be deployed
in the field at short notice and arrange for their transport, medical equipment and
supplies.
 State governments will coordinate with the hospitals, both government and
private, in order to facilitate effective and adequate hospital response after
earthquakes.
After the Report of Disaster Management in India, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, the approach
towards disaster management started shifting. Sendai Framework 2015-30 became the basis of
National Disaster Management Plan. In the year of 2016, National Disaster Management
Authority framed National Disaster Management Plan 2016 with an integrated approach
focusing on multi disaster preparedness and mitigation. This plan changed previous approach of
disaster management which was focused on disaster specific. In new plan Sendai Framework
(2015-30) was integrated for framing the policies for disaster management. The disaster risk
reduction and mitigation plan integrated the global targets into the national efforts and aiming to
increase India’s reliance in natural to both natural and human induced disasters.

The guiding principles of Sendai Framework states that disaster risk reduction requires
responsibilities to be shared by different divisions of governments and various agencies. The
effective disaster risk reduction depends on coordination within and across sectors with relevant
stakeholders at all levels.

10.7 Integrated Sendai Framework and National Disaster Management Plan 2016

For each hazard, Sendai Framework into the planning framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
includes the five theme areas for action:

1. Understanding the Risk

2. Inter-Agency Coordination
3. Investing in DRR – Structural Measures
4. Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures
5. Capacity Development

1. Understanding the Risk

At Centre’s Level:

a) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) along with Earthquake Monitoring Services,

National Seismological Network and Real Time Seismic Monitoring Network (RTSMN)
will take responsibilities as:
 Estimate the earthquake parameters quickly after detection
 Disseminate information
 Share information relating to under-sea earthquakes capable of generating tsunamis in the
Indian coastal regions with INCOIS to issue tsunami related messages and warnings
 Share seismic activity data with national and international scientific, academic and R & D
institutions.
b) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) with the theme of Earthquake Hazard and Risk
Assessment (EHRA) will execute:
  Seismic hazard assessment
 Seismic zoning
 Seismic micro-zoning
c) Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Bureau of
Indian Standard (BIS), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Department of Science and
Technology (DST) will execute Scientific Seismic Zonation as
 Inter-Agency Coordination and Collaboration for publishing the guidelines
 Develop a status paper based on a consensus among the professionals on the
methodologies for micro-zonation studies
d) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Institute of Disaster
Management (NIDM) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) make out
Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment and execute as:
 Promote studies, provide guidelines
 Studies on vulnerability covering social, economic, ecological, gender, and equity aspects
 Change in vulnerability and risk due under climate change scenarios

At State’s Level:

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Revenue Dept., Urban Development Department
(UDD), Public Works Departments (PWD), Urban Local Bodies (ULB), District Disaster
Management Authority (DDMA) along with Panchayats take responsibilities:

 Ensuring implementation, enforcement, compliance and monitoring; awareness creation

 Carry out needs assessment from endusers, conduct micro-zonation studies, prioritize
important urban areas for micro-zonation, do professional review before adoption
 Undertake Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment as part of preparing and periodic
revision of DM plans.

2. Inter-Agency Coordination

At Centre’s Level:

a) For overall disaster governance Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will act as Nodal
ministry – providing coordination, technical inputs, and support
b) For Response theme Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) perform as Nodal ministry for
central assistance
c) For Non-structural measures Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Bureau of Indian
Standard (BIS) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) take
responsibilities as
 Revised/ Updated rules, norms, and codes
  New/Updated standards
 Review and improve laws, regulations and policies

At Stat’s Level:

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Disaster Management Authority

(DDMA), Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) take responsibilities as:

 Preparation and implementation of DM plans and ensure the functioning of agencies with
DM tasks
 Organising the immediate response and seeking assistance of central agencies
 Adapting the norms/ codes as per State’s requirement, enforcement, monitoring

3. Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) – Structural Measures

At Centre’s Level

Under Social Housing Schemes Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and Ministry of Urban
Development (MoUD) take responsibilities of:

 Ensure that multi-hazard resistant features are incorporated in planning and execution of
social housing schemes (with special focus on earthquake)
 Strengthening and seismic retrofitting of prioritized lifeline structures and buildings.
 Implementation strengthening and seismic retrofitting as per recommendations of safety
audits

At State’s Level

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Disaster Management Authority

(DDMA), Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Department of Rural Development (DRD),
Urban Development Department (UDD), Panchayati Raj Department (PRD) take responsibilities
for:

 Ensure that earthquake resistant features are incorporated in planning and execution of
social housing schemes
 Ensure compliance with relevant building codes
 Implementation strengthening and seismic retrofitting as per recommendations of safety
audits in all govt. departments, agencies, public utilities, schools, colleges, community
halls, etc.
  Collaboration with technical agencies and implementation

4. Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures

At Centre’s Level

a) For Regulations and model codes for town planning, civil works and public
infrastructure, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Research Designs
and Standards Organization (RDSO), Ministry of Railway (MoR), Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Ministry of Urban
Development (MoUD) take responsibilities:
 Periodic update of codes, rules, regulations
 Work with all central ministries, agencies, and state governments to implement techno-
legal regime by modifying/ developing necessary rules
b) Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), and National Academy of
Construction (NAC) take responsibilities of :
 Formulate standard procedures and guidelines
 Periodically provide clarifications in line with the relevant national standards
c) For Licensing and certification of professionals Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MoHRD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) :
 May set up a Professional Civil Engineers Council established by an Act for
certification of engineers and evolve a procedure for certification of engineers.

At State’s Level

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Urban Development Department (UDD),

Department of Rural Development (DRD), Public Works Department (PWD), District Disaster
Management Authority (DDMA), Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

 Adopt suitable byelaws for rural and urban areas, put model codes into practice
and ensure proper compliance
 Ensure strict compliance with code implementation through relevant Departments
and agencies.
 Carry out safety audit of lifeline buildings and critical infrastructure
 Ensure implementation, monitoring, enforcement and proper compliance within
state by public, private and individuals.
 Implement licensing of engineers through appropriate legal framework and
institutional mechanism.
 Promote private participation in disaster management facilities
 5. Capacity Development
At Centre’s Level:
a) Training: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD), All India
Council of Technical Education (AICTE)
 Contribute to thenational effort to build the requisite number of trained
personnel to handle seismic safety in India.
b) Curriculum Development: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), MCI, Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MoHRD), University Grant Commission (UGC), All
India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Indian Institutes of Technology
(IITs) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
 Facilitate the introduction of subjects related to DM, in the undergraduate and
professional courses
c) Awareness Generation
 Carry out mass media campaigns
 Promote culture of disaster risk prevention, mitigation, and better risk
management
 Promote attitude and behaviour change in the awareness campaigns/ IEC
 Promote use of insurance/ risk transfer
 Promote Community Radio
 Strengthening network of civil society organizations for awareness generation
about DRR and DM
d) Mock Drills/ Exercises: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) -
 Promoting the planning and execution of emergency drills by all ministries
and in all States/UTs
e) Documentation and Dissemination: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) -
 Undertake documentation of major earthquakes and ensure wider
dissemination
f) Empowering women, marginalised, and persons with disabilities: National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Institute of Disaster
Management (NIDM)
 Incorporating gender sensitive and equitable approaches in capacity
development covering all aspects of disaster management

At State’s Level

a) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and Education Dept. take responsibility
for:
  Contribute to the national effort to build the requisite number of trained
personnel to handle seismic safety in India Trainings in search and rescue
b) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Health Dept. and Education Dept. are
responsible for
 Disaster Management related aspects to be included in undergraduate and
professional courses
c) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), State Institute of Disaster Management
(SIDM), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, Civil
defence, Police, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Panchayats and
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) -
 Carry out mass media campaigns
 Promote culture of disaster risk prevention, mitigation, and better risk
management
 Promote attitude and behaviour change in the awareness campaigns/ IEC
 Promote use of insurance/ risk transfer
 Promote Community Radio
 Strengthening network of civil society organizations for awareness generation
about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Management (DM)
 Information on care and protection of disaster-affected animals
 Popularization and distribution of documentation in local languages
 Incorporating gender sensitive and equitable approaches in capacity
development covering all aspects of disaster management at the state, district,
and local levels
 Strengthen ability of communities to manage and cope with disasters based on
a multi-hazard approach
 Strengthen ability of communities to manage and cope with disasters based on
a multi-hazard approach
 Training for panchayat, SHG, NCC, NSS, Youth, local community
organizations

In conclusion it can be stated that long-term and sustained efforts are required to address the
problem of earthquake risk in India. To reduce the impact of earthquakes in the short term and
the earthquake risk in the medium and long term, we need to recognise the challenges in
improving seismic safety because of the inadequate numbers of trained and qualified civil
engineers, structural engineers, architects and masons proficient in earthquake-resistant design
and construction of structures. It is also needed to acknowledge the imparting training in
earthquake-resistant design and construction to faculty members in professional colleges, for
revising the curriculum in professional courses, and for creating public awareness on seismic risk
reduction features in non-engineered construction in earthquake-prone areas.